Louie
Louie
“There he is!” Taylor pointed to the black Lab bundle of joy galloping toward the car. Cody pulled into the driveway as Taylor’s folks greeted them, with Aristotle, who was leading the way.
“What a good boy,” Cody remarked, trying to get out of the car as Aristotle nuzzled up to him, then nudged Taylor, as well.
“Are you sure you don’t want him?” Taylor asked her folks as she rubbed his ears. “He’s wonderful!”
In the beginning…
“We just can’t,” Taylor’s dad said quietly. Taylor and her folks had loved Casey, a beautiful yellow Lab, to the very last minute of his life. Heartbroken, they knew that he could never be “replaced.” He had a calm, generous disposition. Their hearts were heavy. After time had passed and healing had begun, a niece, who works at Coco’s Heart, a dog rescue organization, invited them to foster a young black Lab. Hesitant, they agreed to take in Aristotle for a “test run.”
He was a fine find, but they just couldn’t give him the love he needed. Taylor and her husband Cody decided to meet him.
Tail wagging, eyes bright and excited, he secured the desired pets and love.
You are my forever family?
“We’ll take him,” Cody proclaimed. Taylor looked at him with wide eyes.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes, let’s take this big lug of love to his forever home,” Cody laughed as he tried to hold an excited, wriggling Aristotle. He wanted to play, of course.
“You big dopey guy, do you want to come home with us?” Taylor asked the excited pup.
Louie likes to ride in the car!
Surprised and pleased, Taylor’s folks sighed with relief as they waved good bye to the three of them. Aristotle likes his rides. Reminds him of his early years.
He remembered the long, scary journey from Joplin, Missouri, with Sadie (his girlfriend, as Taylor and Cody like to believe) a beautiful Australian Shepard. As a young puppy, Aristotle was found wandering the streets for food and comfort. During his first foster home, he had hip surgery. Coco’s Heart paid for the procedure. But he needed another. As he settled in to his forever home, Coco’s Heart paid for that procedure as well.
Healing after his hip surgery.
At least he has his bunny.
Soon Taylor and Cody decided to rename him Louie. They were at the time, living in St. Louis Park, MN. They liked the old school dog names like Hank or Gus. After much discussion, there was conscience: Louie.
Bunny!
Deeply in love, Louie wouldn’t leave Taylor’s side. His hips had heeled and he was doing well, running and bouncing at will. As far as his toys are concerned, Bunny is the best. It was a welcome home gift. And he won’t leave home without it. In fact, Taylor was so concerned about it becoming tattered, that she bought three more, just in case he destroyed the initial Bunny. They are still in their original packaging. Louie is hooked on his first. His only. His Bunny. He’s gentle with it, but very protective. It gives him a secret superpower: LOVE.
A nap with Dad Cody.
He’s simply “the great dog” that everyone would want. Thunderstorms don’t bother him, he doesn’t bark much - and if/when he does, it’s a deep throated bark. ‘Wooooof.’
What Taylor and Cody couldn’t foresee when they initially adopted Louie: the Covid Pandemic was on its way. Carver Lake Veterinary center was the only clinic that would/could see Louie. And when Covid hit, Louie was a God send.
You said you want to play?
It was then that Taylor began working from her home office. Louie was an invaluable assistant. To ensure he was comfortable, Taylor provided the mattress of an old futon for Louie. In the morning, he will saunter behind Taylor into the office and circle once or twice before he settles into a morning nap. Here, he can both smell and hear Taylor.
Louie loves hanging with Mom.
“Let’s go, Louie! Do you want to go outside for a walk?” asks Taylor. It’s lunch time and as Taylor takes a break, Louie takes a long, limber stretch. Then, in one fluid movement, he lifts his 68 pounds up and toward the door. He especially likes this time of the year - fall. It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. Perfect Louie weather.
Lucky Louie.
One day when Taylor’s sister visited, she casually tossed her mostly empty Taco Bell bag on the table. Little did everyone know, Louie had his way with the remnants of her meal. Later, Mom and Dad would realize he had consumed over 20 packets of hot sauce. Twenty! After he began purging a couple of packets, they brought him to Carver Lake Veterinary Center to ensure he was okay. The vet said that Louie would most likely continue to vacate his tummy of these scratchy packets. And so he did. Twenty!
What do you mean I have something on my face?
In the spring of 2022, Taylor, Cody, and Louie welcomed a new human into their home - Jack. Louie was initially very curious and sniffed and circled Jack and Mom Taylor. Then it sunk in - a new friend! Jack grew into a curious toddler (think of a pinball machine), and plays with Louie as they produce great joy and laughter for everyone. Louie is gentle and agile. He never nips.
Mom Taylor, Jack, Dad Cody, Louie with BUNNY!
Louie hanging with Jack.
Sometimes Louie gets the zoomies. Jack thinks this is very funny and will giggle and run with him. Taylor and Cody are grateful that their fur baby is a funny, sweet, mellow, kind dog who loves to be around people - anyone. In late 2023, Charlie blessed their lives as Jack’s younger brother. Like Louie, Charlie is very laid back, easy, calm. As far as Taylor and Cody are concerned, Louie is the perfect dog for their growing family.
I’m available for loves.
Taylor’s folks gently regret that they did not adopt Louie (Aristotle) themselves. But they are very happy they get to continue to visit Louie - and he will sometimes get a car ride to visit them.
Who’s luckier? Louie or his human family?
Louie - So lucky and So loved.